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Energy & Environment

Grow Greener: Resourceful Assets

This should spark your interest: Winnipeg has among the lowest rates for hydroelectricity in North America as well as one of the most reliable electrical grids. Manitoba Hydro—a huge exporter of electricity to the United States—generates more than 98 per cent of its electricity from self-renewing water power, so its carbon footprint is minimal. We’re also a significant centre of natural gas distribution and alternative energy development.

Winnipeg’s environmental firms have substantial capabilities in waste management systems, water and wastewater treatment, and environmental impact assessments. In fact, the International Institute for Sustainable Development, with offices in Ottawa, New York and Geneva, is headquartered here.

If your company is in one of these industries or could simply benefit from low energy costs and ample resources, businesses grow greener in Winnipeg.

Vital Stats

More than 600 businesses in Winnipeg are actively engaged in the energy and environment sector. Emerging subsectors such as bioproducts, freshwater lake management, electric vehicles and eco-tourism are creating new opportunities for Manitoba businesses to become worldwide leaders.

Manitoba Hydro is one of Canada’s most active leaders in the energy and environment sector, with funding programs for renewable energy production, energy efficiency, eco-innovation, bioproducts, climate change mitigation and related environmental sectors. Its ‘Power Smart’ programs are among Canada’s most successful energy-efficiency incentives.

With assets of more than $17 billion and annual revenues in excess of $2.3 billion, Manitoba Hydro is one of Canada’s most active leaders in the energy and environment sector. Since 2005, this provincial Crown corporation’s export sales have totaled $5.2 billion. Its forecast for total export revenues are $16 billion over the next 20 years. Exports of this scale help Manitoba Hydro keep prices low for local businesses.

Myriad opportunities exist to develop bioproducts from the abundant biomass available in the province. A variety of renewable bioproducts can be produced, including biodiesel, biofibre, ethanol, biocomposites and biogas. Manitoba’s Bioproducts Strategy envisions that bioproducts produced in Manitoba could generate revenues of $2 billion by 2020. To achieve this vision, the province government has made commitments to assist businesses through research and development funding, tax credits and a $30-million Commercialization Support for Business Program.

Fast Facts

Manitoba Hydro currently employs more than 6,400 people (17 per cent Aboriginal).

Manitoba Hydro Place uses about 70 per cent less energy than similar-sized buildings and was awarded a platinum LEED Rating in 2012.

In addition to renewable resources, Manitoba’s hydrocarbon and mineral mining sector continues to attract investment, with an estimated $1.4 billion in capital expenditures in 2014.

A major growth opportunity for Winnipeg’s environmental sector may stem from the challenges related to the cleanup of Lake Winnipeg.

Ducks Unlimited, the world leader in wetlands and waterfowl conservation, is headquartered at the internationally renowned Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre located 40 kilometres north of Winnipeg.

Manitoba became the first jurisdiction in North America to pass legislation committing to meeting Kyoto targets.

Industry Partners

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Winnipeg is one of only two Canadian cities with three Class 1 railways (CN, CP and BNSF).

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Over 5,800 transportation and distribution establishments exist in Winnipeg, employing more than 45,000 people.

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Winnipeg is the most cost-effective city for aerospace manufacturing in Western Canada and the U.S. Midwest (KPMG's Competitive Alternatives, 2016).